Man wields knife in covenience store standoff

Posted
Tuesday, May 29, 2012 1:00 pm

A Warwick man was charged with disorderly after a standoff in the Valero Gas station at the intersection of Post Road and George Street Sunday afternoon.

Police said David Lima, 37, of 220 George St. in Warwick, drew a large knife inside the store at a Post Road service station and told the clerk and everyone else to get out. According to Sgt. John Kelly, Lima entered the store around 4:10 p.m. and spoke with a police negotiator for about an hour before ending the standoff. Kelly said Lima was charged with disorderly conduct and then taken to Kent Hospital for evaluation.

Kelly said Lima had concealed the knife in his shirtsleeve before he went into the convenience store at 885 Post Rd. No one was hurt during the standoff.

Police Chief Stephen McCartney said police responded to near simultaneous calls from the service station and Lima’s family. He said it is believed Lima was off his medication. He praised the efforts of negotiator Matthew Moretti in resolving the situation without injury.